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Introducing breathlessness as a significant animal welfare issue.
1a Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North , 4442 , New Zealand.
New Zealand Veterinary Journal
|July 10, 2014
Summary
Breathlessness, a distressing respiratory sensation, significantly impacts animal welfare across various situations. Recognizing its different forms, like air hunger, is crucial for improving veterinary and animal welfare practices.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Animal Welfare Science
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Breathlessness (dyspnea) is an underappreciated welfare concern in animals.
- Human medicine recognizes distinct sensations: respiratory effort, air hunger, and chest tightness.
- These sensations arise from cerebral cortical processing of respiratory signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the negative welfare implications of breathlessness in mammals.
- To review situations where animals experience breathlessness.
- To encourage consideration of breathlessness in animal welfare assessments.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on breathlessness in human and animal contexts.
- Analysis of physiological and pathological conditions causing breathlessness.
- Examination of animal management practices influencing respiratory distress.
Main Results:
- Mammals experience qualitatively distinct breathlessness sensations, with air hunger being most unpleasant.
- Conditions like asphyxia and brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome induce severe breathlessness.
- Interactions between stimuli, physiology, and management practices exacerbate breathlessness.
Conclusions:
- Breathlessness significantly compromises animal welfare.
- Veterinarians and welfare scientists must consider breathlessness in evaluations.
- Mitigating breathlessness is essential for improving animal well-being.
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